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Counting it all joy

James 1:2-4:
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NASB)
Peter 1:6-7:
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (NLT)

I have come to appreciate and understand these verses a whole lot more in the past 7 months!! Lately, it just seems like I can't get a break... something is always happening, breaking down, needing attention, etc.
This life is constantly stretching and testing me!! (:
I was venting to my son's teacher one morning and she gently reminded me of James 1:2-4, "...consider it ALL JOY...", wow!!
It kind of stopped me in my tracks that morning and ever since I have been pondering on these verses. Allowing the Holy Spirit to work into me the depth and meaning of these words and allow the Lord to continue to work in our lives. I find that when I stop obsessing over every detail, God works it all out BETTER than I could ever have hoped!! (:

Cadie had surgery last Friday, it was necessary to get it done, but, when I first realized that was where we were headed - I had a mini anxiety attack. "No, I can't do this without Cj... God, this is the stuff I can't handle without him here to be my de-stressor, the person I could vent my concerns to, even if he couldn't fix them...", I immediately started praying and asking the Lord to "keep me in perfect peace" as He helped me keep my mind on Him!!
And you know? He did!! (I want to finish "...but, Of COURSE")
Even through a scary recovery, where pretty much my worst nightmare of how she would handle it came true, I was held at peace... I can't explain it even now.
Only one time did I feel like I was going to lose it and had to fight off tears/emotions. That was when, in the midst of choking, hoarse wails, as she struggled for breaths, Cadie cried out from behind the oxygen mask attached to her face, "...am I done? Did I have my surgery yet...is it done, Mommie am I done...?"
Seriously -- poor baby!! :( But, even though it took about 6hrs to get out of recovery as opposed to the 60-90min they told us it should take... we were held in peace and surrounded by the love and prayers of our family in Christ. Thanks to you all who were praying!! We truly saw the Lord at work in Cadie's little body that day and every day since!!
So, life treks on... each day is a new moment in learning how to walk this journey with Christ and bring Him glory. We carry on...

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